Fellow researchers, as a scholar, historian and professor emeritus at Austin College, I have taught and written about Texas history for more than four decades. In doing this work, I've relied extensively on primary source materials to help illustrate and bring the rich history of our state alive. Content within UNT Libraries' Portal to Texas History does just that! The Portal has brought Texas' history to my fingertips, further augmenting my class presentations, with key images that inspire students and encourage lively discussion. Simply put, the Portal to Texas History is transforming how we research, write and teach Texas history!
Something so worthwhile cannot exist without significant investments from the university and our philanthropic community. For this reason, I personally support the Portal to Texas History, because I love the great state of Texas and its rich, colorful history. As 2018 draws to a close, and in this season of giving, I ask you to join me in helping UNT Libraries meet their NEH Challenge goal. Please join me in making a gift to support the Portal to Texas History!

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Description:
Photograph of the remains of the burned YMCA building in Port Arthur, Texas, 1959. All that's left are twisted steel I-beams, charred wood, and stone. Firemen can be seen working in the wreckage.

Description:
Photograph of the remains of the YMCA on the Southeast corner of Austin Avenue in Port Arthur, Texas, 1959. Fire crews are spraying the wreckage with water. All that remains is a pile of twisted steel I-beams and stone.

Description:
Photograph of five men, identified as Gene White, Jo Timms, an unidentified man, Donnie Jones, and the speaker, standing in front of a banner at a banquet for the Chamber of Commerce in Port Arthur, Texas.

Description:
Photograph of a woman wearing a white shirt advertising Texaco products. She is standing behind a table that has multiple cans of different varieties of motor oil, capella oil, havoline, and other gasoline products.

Description:
Photograph of the exterior of the Thomas W. Hughen School for Crippled Children building in Port Arthur, Texas. A dirt road runs up to the front door, and there are a few scraggly trees in front of the building.

Description:
Photograph with aerial view of the Rainbow Bridge spanning the Neches River near Port Arthur, Texas. Shadows of several clouds dot the landscape. A ship is passing underneath the bridge. Several canals branch off from the river on its way to Sabine Lake, which encompasses much of the background. The other side of the photo has a handwritten note saying that this was a gift of A. W. Catanach, 1992.

Description:
Photograph of a large boat at a grain elevator. The elevator is connected to a building that is on the left side of the photograph. There is another boat in the background and a water tower in the distance. A stamp on the back of the photograph identifies the photographer as J. C. Watkins.

Description:
Photograph of Cookie and the Cupcakes performing under a string of balloons and in front of walls adorned with hand drawn artwork. There are four men in the foreground. The first and last are playing guitars and and two men in the middle are holding saxophones. In the background to the left is a man playing piano, while to the right is a man playing a drum set that has the band's name emblazoned on the bass drum.

Description:
Aerial photograph of Pleasure Pier Drawbridge. A large ship has just passed through the bridge and it is still drawn. There are cars waiting for the ship to pass, and the town can be seen on the other side of the river. A stamp on the back of the photograph identifies the photographer as J. C. Watkins.

Description:
Photograph of a group of people and babies, from the First Annual Baby Contest in Port Arthur. There is handwriting identifying each person, and the baby on the far left is labeled as the winner of the contest. The baby is wearing a while outfit and bonnet, and is in the lap of a man in a suit. The image is dated March 6, 1955.

Description:
Aerial photograph of a ship and a town on the edge of a river. The ship is passing through a bridge identified as Please Pier Drawbridge, and cars can be seen waiting for it to pass. The buildings extend into the background.

Description:
Photograph of two children in a convertible car with a sign for the King and Queen of Carver School. The children are wearing crowns and capes, and the girl is holding a bouquet of flowers. A man in a hat and glasses is driving the car.

Description:
Photograph of a group of men, all members of the 1955 Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, posing together. Those in the rear are, from left to right, W. F. Spiegel, Sr.; T. B. Ellison; Leo Bryant; and Emery Taylor. Those in the middle row are Jack Craig, Lyle Vickers, Bert Lloyd, Don Hendryx, J. W. Baker, Mayo Wells, and Henry LeBlanc. The men in the front row are Lyndon Ellerbee, Judge James Kirkland, Ho Mills, Lamar Lawson, J. W. Faulkner, and Al Jenkins.

Description:
Photograph of a group of people identified as staff of The Schooner Restaurant standing outside. There are two women in white dresses and two men, and they are standing by the corner of the building. There are four visible cars parked in front of the restaurant. A sticker on the back of the photograph identifies the photographer as James Everett from Groves, Texas., and dates the image 1955.

Description:
Aerial photograph of a ship that has just passed under a large bridge, identified as Rainbow Bridge. The ship is in the right center of the photograph and extends from the bridge to the edge of the frame. The bridge is on the left side of the photograph and a truck and car are visible driving over it. A stamp on the back of the photograph identifies the photograph as J. C. Watkins, and handwriting dates it from September 22, 1954.

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